Hanger-supporting device



July 30, 1929. A. LEVINE 1,722,757

HANGER SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed June 6, 1928 l VENTO! a I BY /1; .7

ATTORN P filtented July 30, 1929;

PATENT OFFICE,

new mm, or ELIZABETH, rorwrron, or NEW roux,

n'nw masnx, assrcnoa 'ro rnns'ro Locx conon com-cannon on NEW YORK.

EANGEB-SUEP ORTING DEVICE.

Application filed June 6,

My present invention relates generally to supporting devices, and has articular reference to. the support of c othes hangers between juxtaposed walls, as for example, intrunks, suitcases, and the like.

Although I have herein illustrated and shall hereinafter describe my invention as applied to a particular type of clothes hanger, nevertheless it will be understood that certain features of my invention have a. wider applicability and are not restricted to such a particular use.

The type of clothes hanger for which my invention has been primarily designed and in connection with which the features of my invention are of particular value, is generally formed of wood or the like arranged in a single plane and configured to provide not only a body portion with clothes-supporting capabilities, but also two oppositely arranged supporting extensions.

It is a general object of my invention to provide means for efiiciently supporting one or more of such hangers between two juxtaposed walls, as for example, the juxtaposed walls constituted by the opposite walls of a suitcase, wardrobe trunk, or the like."

One object of my invention is to provide means for removably supporting a hanger of the character described, the means being of such a character that accidental displacement is prevented while at the same time the ease of a contemplated and deliberate removal is not impaired.

It is a particular object of my invention to provide the supporting means in such a manner as to permit a deliberate partial removal or adjustment of the hanger or hangers for purposes of rendering the body portion of the hanger or the body portions.

' of normally concealed hangers, more accesmovable except by sible; this adjustment or partial removal being possible without danger of total and undesired disassociation of the hanger from the supporting walls.

One feature of my invention lies in providing means for removably supporting one of the extensions of the hanger in such a manner that this extension is pivoted to the supporting wall but is not readily re- ..a deliberate adjustment of a particular character.

Another feature of my invention lies in removably supporting the other extension of the hanger in a simple unpivotal manner,

' walls,

1928. Serial 110. 283,818.

whereby such removability, in combination with the pivotal supporting of the opposite extension, will permit a partial removal or pivoting of the hanger for purposes of access.

More particularly, it is a feature of my mvention to provide means for removably associating one of the hanger extensions with one of the supporting walls in such a manner as to permit pivotal movement of the hanger around the end of said extension as an axis; and to provide means for preventmg assoclatlon or disassociation of said extension with respect to said wall except when the hanger has been positioned or swung to form a predetermined angle Wltl'ld'eSPGCt to said wall. In this way, a certain pivotal movement or adjustment of the hanger is always possible with a minimum of effort, but the hanger is at'the same tlme associated with at least one wall in a practically irremovable manner during such pivotal adjustments. Y

A general object of my invention lies in providing supporting means of an extremely simple and inexpensive character, the number of elements being reduced to a minimum,

and the construction and arrangement therej of being such as to result in the rovision of an extremely simple, light, easily operable yet compact construction.

A preferred form of my invention comprlses, preferably, an engagement chamber in association with one of the supporting said chamber having one or more bayonet slots or the like, an engagement device for association with the opposite supporting wall, said device having one or more pivot bearings, and a hanger whereof the oppositely arranged supporting extensions are respectively provided with a' pin for removable insertion into one of said bayonet slots, and a pivot for removable association with one of said pivot bearings.

In accordance with the general objects of my invention, the engagement chamber is constructed in an extremely simple et highly efficient manner and permits rea y application and removability of the pin 'on the hanger; and the engagement device is provided with means for permitting free pivotal movement of the hanger around the pivot axis under normal circumstances, said means being so constructed, however, to prevent association or disassociation of the pivotal with the front wall relationship except when the hanger has been constructed to cooperate with one or more positioned or swung into certain predetermined positions. For the attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I have constructed several embodiments of my invention and illustrated the accompanying drawings, in which- 1 Figure l is an elevational view of a pair of hangers constructed in accordance with the present invention and supported between two juxtaposed walls of a suitcase or the like;

Figure 2 is an enlarged View, taken in the direction of Figure 1, showing the pin of one hanger extension ready to be inserted into the engagement chamber;

Figure 3 is a View of the engagement chamber taken from the right of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of the chamber removed and with two extension pins in position therein;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the engagement chamber with an extension pin posite extension type of'engagement device with which the ready to be associated therewith;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the 0pof a hanger showing one extension is designed to be pivotally associated;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the device of Figure 6 showing an extension pivot associated therewith; v

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the. line 8-8 of Figure Figures 9 and 10 are front and cross-sectional views respectively-of a modified type of engagement device.

Figure 11 is a perspective view similar to Figure 6 showing a modified type of construction; and

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a modified embodiment of the engagement chamber.

In Figure 1 I have illustrated the nature of my invention by means of the two juxtaposed walls 15 and 16, and the hangers 17 and 18 supported therebetween. The walls 15 and 16 may be considered the opposite walls of a suitcase or the like, a third wall of the latter being shown at 19 and; an end wall or bottom being provided as zit-20.

- Each of the hangers represented-is constructed to embody a body portion 21 and a pairvof oppositely arranged supporting extensions 22 and 23.

Associated with the wall 15 .I have illustrated an engagement chamber 24 constructed and arranged to cooperate with one or more of the extensions 22; and in association with the wall .16 I have shown an engagement device 25 which is arranged and of the extensions 23. In accordance with my invention, the hanger is removably associated with the engagement device 25 on the one hand and the engagement chamber 24 on the other so that if desired the hanger may be totally removed from supported position between the walls 15 and 16. And, also, my invention provides. for pivotal movement of the hanger with respect to the wall 16 after the extension 22 has been removed from association with the chamber 24. Furthermore, my invention prevents total removal of the hanger from the walls 15 and 16 except upon pivotal movement of the hanger into predetermined angular relation with respect to the wall 16.

Referring to Figures 25, I have shown an engagement chamber constructed of sheet metal or the like and comprising a bottom wall 26, a front wall 27 a top wall 28,, and end walls 29. A rear wall is preferably omitted, and the rear portion of the top wall 28 is preferably turned upwardly to provide the attaching portion 30 whereby the entire engagement chamber may be associated with the wall 15 in the manner shown, thewall 15 thereby serving as the rear wall of the chamber.

It will be observed that the wall 27, which I have termed the front wall, is spaced from and substantially parallel to the wall 15. In this wall I provide a set of L-shaped bayonet slots 31, these slots extending from the upper edge of the front wall 27 and terminating at their inner ends in the turned-back recesses 32.

In Figures 2 and 5 I have shown the end of the extension 22 with a pin 33 provided thereon for the purposes contemplated. To permit this pin to be inserted downwardly into a selected bayonet slot 31, the upper wall 28 is provided with the slots 34 which extend rearwardly from the upper ends of the slots 31.

Loosely accommodated within the chamber 24, i. e.,' behind the front wall 27 and between the bottom wall 26 and the top wall 28, is an independent spring which is arranged and constructed to serve simultaneously for all of the slots 31. I have shown a resilient strip in the shape of an inverted U, the botton35 of this U normally underlying the wall 28 and extending for substantially the entire length of the chamber. The arms 36 of the U are converged toward each other and rest upon the bottom wall 26.

Thespring tends to counteract any insertion into the bayonet slots 31, but it is yieldable under pressure, and the pin 33 may therefore be forced into a selected bayonet slot 31, the spring then compressing as in i be noted that I downward projection 43 pivot,

moval of the pin necessitates merely a slight downward pressure upon-the spring so that the pin may be withdrawn from the slot. The provision ofa-n engagement chamber of this character results in extreme simplicity, particularly in view of the loose accommodation of the independent and extremely simple resilient spring element. The absence of rivets and the like, except to fasten the chamber to the wall 15, and the consequent simplicity, will be obvious from the description given and from the illustrations.

Referring the engagement device 25 comprises the backing 37, the latter being attachable by rivets or the like to the wall 16, and the two superposed plates 38 and 39 extending perpendicularly from the backing 37 inwardly and toward the hangers. The plates 38 and 39 are provided with one or more pairs of superposed and aligned openings which constitute pivot bearings. For example, the opening 40 in the plate 39 and the opening 41 in the plate 38 are adapted to serve as pivot bearings for a pair of com plementary pivots associated with the extension 23.

A preferred type of pivot is illustrated in Figures 6-8 wherein T have showna metallic plate 42 attached to the extreme end of the extension 23,this plate terminating in two superposed parts. From the upper part a constitutes one and from the lower part, a downward projection 44 constitutes the other pivot, the projections or pivots 43 and 44 being aligned and adapted to enter the openings 41 and 40 respectively.

It will be obvious that when the pivots are in association with the pivot bearings, the hanger will be pivotally associated with the wall 16. Thepivot axis lies in the plane of the hanger and is parallel to the wall 16. Thus, the hanger of Figure 1 may be pivoted from the position illustrated toward the observer as soon as the left extension 22 is released from the chamber 24. v

In accordance with my invention, the pivotal association which is referred to is an irremovable one under ordinary conditions. The hanger may not be totally removed, nor may it be initially associated with the device 37, except when the hanger is positioned or swung into a predetermined angularity with respect to the wall 16. I

' The means for accomplishing this comprises the tab 45 carried by the pivot 43, and the overhanging abutment 46 provided upon the backing 37. In Figures 6-8, the overhanging abutment 46 has been provided by striking up a portion of the metal of the backing 37 as most clearly illustrated in Figure 8.

In Figure 7, the dot and dash lines represent the angular position of the hanger when to Figures 6, 7, and 8, it will A more pressure upon this pin will association ordisassociation is first-rendered ossible. It will be noted that the hanger orms an acute angle with the wall 16. In

any position of the hanger forming an acute angle less than the one illustrated in Figure 7, the pivots 43 and 44 may be freely inserted or removed with respect to the bearings 40 and 41. In any osition of the hanger where the latter orms an angle greater than the acute angle illustrated by dot and dash lines in Figure 7, the tab 45 is slidably engaged beneath the overhanging abutment 46, and withdrawal'of the pivots from the pivot bearings is impossible.

In Figures 9 and 10, l have illustrated a modified construction wherein the integral struck-up portions 46 are dispensed with, a set of suitably sized openings 47 through a backing 37 serving to fulfill the same function. In other words, the-upper wall 48 ofthe opening 47 constitutes the overhanging abutment beneath which a tab '45 engages while the hanger is perpendicular to the wall 16 or swinging from said perpendicularity within a limited range.

Tn Flgure 11 I have shown a construction wherein the portions 46 and the openings 47 are dispensed with, the overhanging abutment being provided in a differentv manner.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a construction which is highly eflicient yet extremely simple. Any number of hangers may be supported in superposition ,in the manner described. Whenever a hanger is to be initially associated with the walls 15 and 16, the extension 23 is applied to the device 25 while the hanger is positioned at an angle less than a predetermined acute angle with the walls 16. This permits the pivot or pivots to enter the bearlng or bearings in the device 25. The hanger is then swung inwardly until the pin 33 overlies the corresponding bayonet slot in the chamber 24. then look this end of the hanger-to the wall 15.

Without necessarily removing the hanger completely from-the walls, the extension 22 may be disassociated from the chamber 24, and the hanger may be swung outwardly within a limited range without loosening the association of the extension 23 with the device 25. This adjustability of the hanger trative, and not in said pin in the inner end of said renders access to the hanger more simple for pur osesof removal or application of clot 18S, and it also permits access to be had to the hanger or hangersbeneath.

The bayonet slots are preferably constructed as shown, the lower portions thereof being directed rearwardly, i. e., in the d rection of the hangers. In this way, the welght of one or more hangers upon the hangers beneath will not tend to release any of the extensions 22 from the chamber 24.

It is also to be noted that the association of the hanger with the walls 15 and 16 1s such that handling of the suitcase or trunk (where the invention is so applied) Wlll not loosen or impair the efiicient support of the hangers.

In the embodiment of Fig. 12 the bayonet slots 31' are in reversed position from that shown in Fig. 5. This arrangement has the advantage that the pins 33 when forced outwardly by the pressure of the apparel Wlll not be forced to a releasing position.

It will be obvious that changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illusa limiting sense. described my invention and what I claim as new and Letters Patent is Having thus illustrated its use, desire to secure by 1. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means 1ncluding a pin on one of said extensions, and

an engagement chambered member on-the corresponding wall, said member having a bayonet slot in the wall adjacent to the pin and adapted to receive said pin, an opening in the top wall in vertical registration with said bayonet slot and a spring. in the chamber of the member for yieldablg retaining s ot.

2. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means including a pin on one of said extensions, and an engagement chambered member on the corresponding wall, said member having a bayonet slot in the wall adjacent to the pin and adapted to receive said pin, an opening in the top wall in vertical registration with said bayonet slot and a spring in the chamber of the member for yieldably retaining said pin in the inner end of said slot, said spring comprising an independent resilient strip loosely accommodated in said chamber.

3. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions,

means for removably supporting said han er between juxtaposed walls; said means mcluding a pin on one of said extensions, and an engagement chamber on the corresponding wall, said chamber having a bayonet slot in the wall adjacent to the pin and adapted to receive said pin, and a spring in the chamber for yieldably retainin said pin in the inner end of said slot, sai spring comprising an independent resilient strip loosely accommodated in said chamber, and said strip having an inverted-U shape with the arms thereof converging toward each other.

4. In combination with a, set of hangers having oppositely arrangedv supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hangers in superposition between juxtaposed walls; said means including a pin carri ed by each of one set of superposed extensions, and an engagement chamber on the corresponding wall, said chamber having a set of bayonet slots in the wall adjacent'to said pins, said slots being adapted to receive respective pins, and a common spring in the chamber for yieldably retaining each pin in the inner end of the corresponding slot.

5. In combination with a set of hangers having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hangers in superposition between juxtaposed walls; said means including a pin carried by each of one set of superposed extensions, and an engagement chamber on the corresponding wall, said chamber having a set of bayonet slots in the wall adjacent to said pins, said slots being adapted to receive respective pins, and a common spring in the chamber for yieldably retaining each pin in the inner end of the corresponding slot, said spring comprising an independent resilient strip loosely accommodated in said clhamber in operative proximity with each s 0t.

6. In combination with a set of hangers having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hangers in superposition between juxtaposed walls; said means including a pin carried by each of one set of superposed extensions, and an engagement chamber on the corresponding wall, said chamber having a set of bayonet slots in the wall adjacent to said pins, said slots being adapted to receive respective pins, and a common spring in the chamber for yieldabl retaining each pin in the inner end of tlie corresponding slot, said spring comprising an independent resilient strip loosel accommodated in said chamber and having an inverted-U shape, the base of the U having portions thereof in operative proximity with said slots.

7. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removabl supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means inweaver eludin means for removably associating one p of said extensions with the corresponding wall to permit pivotal movement of the hanger, and means for preventing assoc ation or disassociation of said extension w1t h said wall except when the "hanger 1s posltioned or swung to form an angle less than a predetermined acute angle with said wall.

8. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably sup orting said hanger between juxtaposed w" ls; sald means in cludin means for removably associating one of said extensions with the corresponding wall to permit pivotal movement of the hanger, and means for preventing assoc 1a tion or disassociation of said extension with said wall except when the hanger is positioned or swung to form an angle less than a predetermined acute angle with said wall; said last named means comprising a tab carried by said extension, and means carried by said wall and adapted to engage said tab as long as the hanger forms an angle greater than said acute angle with said wall.

9. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hangerbetween juxtaposed walls; said means including an engagement device on one of said walls and having a pivot bearing, a pivot on 1 one of said extensions for removable associahearing except when the tion with said bearing, whereby the hanger may be pivotally movable with respect to said wall, and means for preventing association or disassociation of said pivot with said hanger is positioned or swung to form an angle less than a predetermined acute angle with said wall.

10. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means including an engagement device on one of said walls and having a pivot bearing, a pivot on one of said extensions for removable association with said bearing, whereby the hanger may be pivotally movable with respect to said wall, and means for preventing association or disassociationof said pivot with said bearing except when the hanger is positioned or swung to'form an angle less than a predetermined acute angle with said wall; said last named means comprising a tab carried by said pivot, and means provided on said device for engaging the tab as long as the hanger forms an angle greater than said acute angle with said wall.

11. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means including an engagement device on one of said walls and having a pair of superposed and alignedpivot bearings, a pair of superposed able association with said bearings, whereby the hanger may be pivotally movable with respect to said wall, and means for preventing association and disassociation of said pivots with said bearings except when the hanger is positioned or swung to form an angle less than a predetermined acute angle with said wall.-

12.v In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means in cluding anengagement device on one of said walls and having a pair of superposed and aligned pivot bearings, a pair of superposed pivots on one of said extensions for removable association with said bearings, whereby the hanger may be pivotally movable with respect to said wall, and means for preventing association and disassociation of said pivots with said bearings except when the hanger is positioned or swung'to form an angle less than a predetermined acute angle with said wall; said last named means comprising a tab carried by one of said pivots, and means provided on said device for slidably engaging the tab as long as the hanger ivots on one of said extensions for removforms an angle greater than said acute angle with said wall. I

13. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means including an engagement device on one of sai walls and including a plate extending perpendicularly from the wall, said plate having an opening which constitutes a pivot bearing, a pivot on one of said extensions and adapted to be removably inserted into said opening, whereby the hanger may be pivoted to said plate, and means for preventing insertion or removal of said pivot from said opening except when the hanger is positioned or swung to form a predetermined non-rectilinear angle with said wall.

14:- In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means including an engagement device on one of said walls and including a plate extending perpendicularly from the wall, said plate having an opening which constitutes, a pivot bearing, a pivot on one of said extensions and adapted to be removably inserted into said opening, whereby the hanger may be pivoted to said plate, and means for preventing insertion or removal of said pivot from said opening except when the hanger is positioned or swung to form a predetermined non-rectilinear angle with said wall; said last named means comprising a tab on said pivot, and an overhanging abut- L 6 Q 7 x.

' of said extensions with -'greater than said ment on said device for engaging over said tab as 'long as the hanger forms an-angle predetermined angle with said wall. v

15. In combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removabl supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means including an engagement device on one of said walls and including a plate extending perpendicularly from the wall, said plate havmg an opening which constitutes a pivot bearing, a pivot on one of said extensions and adapted to be removably inserted into said opening, whereby the hanger may be pivoted to said plate, and means for preventing insertion or removal of said pivot from said opening is positioned or swung to form a predetermined non-rectilinear angle with said wall; said last named means comprising a tab on said pivot, and an overhanging abutment on said device for engaging over said tab as long as the hanger forms an angle greater than said predetermined angle with said wall; and said overhanging abutment being formed by a wall portion of said 'openlng.

16. in combination with a hanger having oppositely arranged supporting extensions, means for removably supporting said hanger between juxtaposed walls; said means in cluding means for removably associating one the corresponding wall to permit pivotal movement of the hanger, means for preventing association or disassociation of said extension with said wall except when the hanger is positioned or swung to form an angle less than a predetermined acute angle with said wall, and means for removably associating the opposite extension with the opposite wall,

17. As an article of manufacture, an engagement member adapted for association with a supporting surface and for the rea movable reception of hanger extensions, said member having a front wall with a series of bayonet slots extending from the upper edge thereof, a bottomwall, side walls, a

top wall having slots communicating with said bayonet slots, and a spring loosely accommodated in said chamber and arranged to yieldably counteract any insertion into said slots.

except when the hanger;

18. A hanger of the character described comprising a body portion and oppositely arranged supporting extensions, one of the latter being provided with a pin adapted for insertion into a bayonet slot, and the other extension being provided with a pivot whose axis is in the plane of the body portion but perpendicular to said extension, said pivot being provided with a tab for engagement under an overhanging abutment.

19.- In a device of the character described, in combination, a hanger support for pivotally carrying a hanger therefrom in separable association, said support comprising a vertical wall, superimposed members extending therefrom, openings in said members in vertical registration for supporting the ban er member for pivotal movement with re eronce thereto, and means for preventing disassociation of the hanger and the support until the hanger is caused to assume a predetermined angular position relatively thereto.

20. In a device of the in combination, otally 'carrying a hanger therefrom in separable association, said support comprising a vertical wall, tending therefrom, openings in said members in vertical registration adapted to receive a hanger portion therethrough for pivotal movement with reference thereto, and an abutment on the support adapted to engage with the hanger to maintain the two against separation, unless the hanger has been moved to a predetermined angular position with reference to the support.

21. In a device of the character described, in combination, means for supporting a hanger between spaced walls,'said means including a member adapted to separably associate one end of the hanger with the corresponding wall tov permit pivotal movement of the hanger relatively thereto, said member being provided with means for preventing association or disassociation of said end from said wall except when the hanger is positioned or swung to form an angle less than'a predetermined acute angle with said wall. a

In witness whereof I have signed this specification this 22d day of May, 1928.

ABRAHAM LEVINE.

character described,

a hanger support for piv-r 

